PHILIPPINE DEFENSE MEDAL
(World War II)
                        

ESTABLISHING AUTHORITY

The Philippine Defense Medal was initially established as a ribbon by Philippine Army Headquarters, Commonwealth of the Philippines, General Order Number 6, on December 20, 1944. It was later announced as a medal by Army Headquarters on July 22, 1945.

ACCEPTANCE BY THE UNITED STATES

Acceptance of this medal was authorized in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance of foreign awards and decorations during World War II for the period of December 7, 1941 through July 24, 1948.

EFFECTIVE DATES

The effective dates of the Philippine Defense Medal are December 8, 1941 to June 15, 1942.

CRITERIA

The Philippine Defense Medal was awarded for service in the defense of the Philippines from December 8, 1941 to June 15, 1942, under either of the following conditions:
  • Participation in any engagement against the enemy in Philippine territory, waters, or in the air over the Philippines or Philippine waters; or,


  • Assigned or stationed in Philippine territory or waters for not less than thirty days during the authorizing period.
DESIGNER

The Philippine Defense Medal was designed by Juan Nakpil

ORDER OF PRECEDENCE

The Philippine Defense Medal is worn after all foreign decorations and before the Philippine Liberation Medal.

DEVICES

A recipient who meets both conditions for this medal is entitled to wear a bronze five-pointed star on the ribbon.

DESCRIPTION AND SYMBOLISM

Obverse

The obverse of the medal is a gilt medallion, scalloped to display ten points. In the center of the medallion is the female figure of Filipinas, which is symbolic of defense, holding an Igorot shield with her left arm and a Moro kris in her right hand. She is shown facing the wearer's left, and in front of her are two islands: one is designated as Corregidor I[sland]. and the second bears the inscription BATAAN. The female figure's hair is shown blowing to her rear, and behind her is a revolutionary sunburst. This central theme is surrounded by a green-enameled wreath closed at the top by three five-pointed stars.

Reverse

The reverse of the Philippine Defense Medal bears the following inscription in four lines: FOR THE / DEFENSE / OF THE/ PHILIPPINES.

Ribbon



The ribbon to the Philippine Defense Medal consists of a field of red with a white stripe one-eighth of an inch wide a quarter inch in from each edge of the ribbon. In the center of the ribbon and between the white stripes, three white five-pointed stars form a triangle, with two stars at the base and one at the apex.



                        


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